Chapter 2087: Panlong City and Shanjin's Situation

"Beneath good fortune often lies hidden misfortune." He Lingchuan picked up a piece of sashimi and then slowly began to speak. "Panlong City is now widely renowned, attracting visitors from all directions. Surrounding smaller nations have deliberately sought our friendship, and several tribes have even requested to merge with Panlong. It is indeed flourishing. However, the conflict between us and Beijia has actually deepened. After Xianyou was destroyed, Beijia has no other forces to support, so it's highly likely they will personally target us."

He Lingchuan never forgot that Panlong City's greatest asset also made it a target. That "treasure" was the Grand Ewer!

The secret of the Grand Ewer being in Panlong City had not yet been revealed. However, He Lingchuan learned from Miaozhan Tian that, in real history, Lingshan did not directly disclose its location, but the whereabouts of the Grand Ewer's lid was secretly given to Beijia by True Master Qianhuan!

With the lid, Beijia would be able to pinpoint the Grand Ewer's location, thus discovering the small secret Panlong City had so carefully guarded. In this Panlong world, however, He Lingchuan had no way of knowing whether the historical tragedy would repeat itself, or if True Master Qianhuan would betray Panlong City again.

Therefore, as long as Panlong City's power was insufficient to confront Beijia, He Lingchuan naturally believed it was best not to provoke Lingshan, nor to give True Master Qianhuan any reason to betray Panlong City. However, he found it difficult to voice these innermost thoughts now. He only said, "Although our previous military achievements were brilliant, we have also offended Beijia beyond measure. There's no other way; we can only get closer to Lingshan now."

As he spoke, a sense of melancholy also welled up in his heart. Panlong City's situation was strikingly similar to that of the Bling-Bling Plain in his own reality: both were on the rise with promising futures; both had offended Beijia, becoming thorns in their side; and both had to carefully manage their diplomatic relations, especially the delicate ties with Lingshan.

Both Panlong City and the Bling-Bling Plain naturally hoped they wouldn't need to choose sides and could instead become neutral, or independent, third parties, distinct from the Sky Demons and Lingshan. However, such a stance requires immense strength; otherwise, they could easily be crippled.

Panlong City seized the opportunity presented by the frequent Imperial Nectar showers and spiritual energy outbursts, but it was not yet strong enough to challenge both Beijia and Lingshan simultaneously. While fully opposing Beijia, Panlong City also had to carefully manage its relationship with Lingshan.

If you're not strong enough, you're destined to cede some interests to the powerful. This is one of the unspoken rules of the world, whether you like it or not, whether you accept it or not.

"Furthermore, aligning with Lingshan at this stage has tangible benefits. We might as well view this as an exchange of interests between both parties. For example, we need to acquire the divine abilities and cultivation methods from the Middle Ages as quickly as possible."

"Now that spiritual energy is rising throughout the world, whichever force acquires more advanced divine abilities and cultivation methods first will gain a head start!" He Lingchuan analyzed. "Beijia doesn't have this concern, but Panlong City cannot acquire them out of thin air."

"In ancient times, even immortals fought tooth and nail for the rarest and most powerful cultivation methods; those weren't things money could buy," he said, knowing a bit about the "four essentials of cultivation"—wealth, dharma, companions, and land. "So, from another perspective, if Panlong City allocates a portion of its annual profits to 'purchase' these originally priceless cultivation methods, it would be a worthwhile deal for now."

He only spoke of the present; who knew what the future held? Moreover, he replaced "exchange" with "purchase," implying that if these rare cultivation methods could be bought at a clear price, it would be a great bargain.

"Additionally, as soon as we reach an agreement with Lingshan, Baisha Bay will quickly resume trade with us," He Lingchuan said earnestly. "The less impact on the Maohe trade route, the better."

How many years had it taken to polish the golden reputation of Panlong City and the Maohe trade route? If Baisha Bay truly prevented goods from passing through, even for just a few days, it would severely damage Panlong City's commercial reputation. Lingshan had precisely calculated that Panlong City couldn't afford this, which was why they exerted pressure from multiple angles. There was no alternative; Panlong City had to swallow this loss.

"However, after this incident, Lingshan's relationship with us should become closer," He Lingchuan continued. Panlong City had also temporarily appeased Lingshan. "So, in the short term, Lingshan's support for Panlong City won't diminish. After all, among the human nations Lingshan has supported, Panlong City still seems to be the most promising."

At this time, Mounation didn't exist yet, so Lingshan's best candidate for support was still Panlong City, whose wings were just developing, simply because Lingshan had no other choice.

Sun Fuling thought for a moment and then smiled. "That's true. Besides the cultivation methods and divine abilities, the external intelligence Lingshan shares with us is also very important."

With official matters concluded, they implicitly agreed to change the subject. He Lingchuan spoke of his experiences on the southern grasslands, while Sun Fuling shared new gossip and interesting stories from the city.

This simple, warm meal was more comfortable than any He Lingchuan had eaten in his own royal palace.

Just as he picked up the last piece of mutton with skin, a figure suddenly flickered outside. He glimpsed it instantly: "Come in." It was Skinny. "Commander Zhong is looking for you."

"Now?" So late, and Zhong Shengguang still needed him? He Lingchuan glanced at Sun Fuling, feeling a pang of guilt, but she stood up first. "Official matters are important. You should hurry to the yamen. I'll head back to the academy too." When it came to official business, Sun Fuling never made an issue of it nor showed any displeasure.

They walked out hand in hand. Under the streetlamp, Sun Fuling's beauty became subtle and graceful again, causing He Lingchuan a moment of distraction. How wonderful would it be if she were in his reality?

"What's wrong?" She instantly sensed the shift in his mood. They stood under a flowering tree, a few tiny golden osmanthus blossoms nestled in her dark hair. He Lingchuan reached out to remove them for her.

The sweet scent of osmanthus filled the air, and around them, the sounds of people coming and going filled the street. The hustle and bustle of everyday life were never absent from the marketplace.

"Nothing," He Lingchuan said with some emotion. "Sometimes I feel tired and weary, wanting to slack off and stop moving forward. But as soon as I come in and see you, and see Panlong City, I know all my sacrifices are worth it, all my hard work is rewarded, and all my efforts are as they should be."

He no longer needed to rehearse sweet nothings; Sun Fuling listened, her face slightly flushed. "Am I that important?"

"Of course."

"Then what am I in your heart? Give me an example."

He Lingchuan replied without hesitation: "A lamp."

"Huh?" Sun Fuling had never expected this answer. "Don't tell me you mean a guiding light. Only children at the academy flatter like that."

"Much better than a guiding light," He Lingchuan said earnestly. "You and Panlong City are both a lamp of the heart."

"I know where you are, and I know where home is; I don't need guidance. But walking through Panlong City, walking down the alley to come home, as long as I see the light in the house, no matter how much hardship and difficulty I've experienced that day, I can cast it all aside."